Jones stuns UFC with retirement, Aspinall named new heavyweight champion

[p]The decision was confirmed by UFC President Dana White in the aftermath of a Fight Night event in Azerbaijan, ending seven months of limbo at the top of the division.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aspinall-tom/tSPjF4CM/"]Aspinall[/a], 32, had held interim status since a blistering knockout of Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023, and now becomes just the third Briton in UFC history to claim full championship honours after compatriots [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bisping-michael/CQgc5V1o/"]Michael Bisping[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/edwards-leon/AmK8BTKr/"]Leon Edwards[/a].[/p][p][b]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jones-jon/Q9RxD4xn/"]Jon Jones[/a] called us last night and retired," [/b]White stated bluntly.[/p][p][b]"Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."[/b][/p][embed guid="3988476d-034a-486e-96e0-f137fddc983a" url="https://x.com/ufc/status/1936561397531611416" social-type="twitter" /][p]Jones, 37, widely regarded as one of the most dominant and controversial fighters in MMA history, ends a career that began in 2008 and reached legendary status in both light‑heavy and heavyweight divisions.[/p][p]The youngest-ever UFC champion at 23, he defended 12 titles and defeated icons such as Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cormier-daniel/ltMnGsw1/"]Daniel Cormier[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/miocic-stipe/vJOmECDU/"]Stipe Miocic[/a]. [/p][p]His ascent to heavyweight gold began in March 2023, culminating in a dominant performance over Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024.[/p][p]Yet despite Aspinall's rise and relentless calls for a unification bout, Jones repeatedly swerved the matchup, claiming that a fight against the Englishman would do little to enhance his legacy.[/p][p]The irony, of course, is that legacy now includes the avoidance of what could have been a defining contest. For Aspinall, who White described as "incredible through this whole process", the recognition has been hard earned.[/p][p][b]"I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and obviously money, but we'll make it up to him," [/b]White added.[/p][p][b]"Tom Aspinall's a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process.[/b][/p][p][b]"He's been willing to do anything, fight him anywhere at any time and do this, and now he's like 'I'll fight anybody - you tell me who and I'll fight them'."[/b][/p][embed guid="3a6cd866-c2a7-4c29-937a-20613ec51173" url="https://x.com/ufc/status/1936573681934737510" social-type="twitter" /][p]Aspinall has spent 19 months in championship limbo and just three minutes and 22 seconds inside the Octagon since the start of 2023, a staggering statistic that underlines both his inactivity and his efficiency in finishing fights.[/p][p]The Salford native has remained vocal and game throughout, declaring after the announcement: [b]"For you fans, it's time to get this heavyweight division going. An active undisputed champion."[/b][/p][p]That activity is expected to resume this summer or early autumn, with French contender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gane-ciryl/UiHcZ8G9/"]Ciryl Gane[/a] the most likely first challenger. [/p]